We're excited to proclaim that in-person worship in the sanctuary restarts May 9 at 10:45am.
It's going to be a little different. You MUST make a reservation so we can maintain social-distancing in the pews. We have a 60-person capacity. You MUST wear a mask the whole time you're inside the building, with exceptions as per CDC guidelines. There won't be any singing. There will be no nurseries. We'll have live worship leadership and instrumental music. We'll have pre-recorded segments from worshipers at home, as well as videos of choral music.
There's an online reservation form. You can get to it from our website's Home page or Worship page, too. If you don't have internet or can't fill out the form, just call the church office at 865-577-8510 and give us your reservation info. If you're OK sharing a pew with others who have been fully vaccinated, there's a response for that on the form.
Prayer concerns and joys can be texted before and during worship at 865-888-0515. There's also live CHAT on our Worship page where you can share prayers, comments, and greetings.
The worship service will continue to be live streamed to our website, Facebook Live, and YouTube.
We're ADDING the in-person worship option to our already robust online presence.
We are so glad to be able to worship in-person AND online as we all continue to make our way to a new normal.
In General
What to Expect
Arrival
Seating
Services
Dismissal
It's going to be a little different. You MUST make a reservation so we can maintain social-distancing in the pews. We have a 60-person capacity. You MUST wear a mask the whole time you're inside the building, with exceptions as per CDC guidelines. There won't be any singing. There will be no nurseries. We'll have live worship leadership and instrumental music. We'll have pre-recorded segments from worshipers at home, as well as videos of choral music.
There's an online reservation form. You can get to it from our website's Home page or Worship page, too. If you don't have internet or can't fill out the form, just call the church office at 865-577-8510 and give us your reservation info. If you're OK sharing a pew with others who have been fully vaccinated, there's a response for that on the form.
Prayer concerns and joys can be texted before and during worship at 865-888-0515. There's also live CHAT on our Worship page where you can share prayers, comments, and greetings.
The worship service will continue to be live streamed to our website, Facebook Live, and YouTube.
We're ADDING the in-person worship option to our already robust online presence.
We are so glad to be able to worship in-person AND online as we all continue to make our way to a new normal.
In General
- In-person worship will resume Sunday, May 9th. There will be no in-person Sunday School at this time.
- Worship services will take place in the sanctuary at 10:45 a.m.
- Services will also continue to be live-streamed.
- Reservations are required for in-person worship as seating will be limited to allow for proper social distancing.
- Reservations are first-come, first-served and may be made online at the church’s website or by calling the church office.
- In the event that all available seats are taken for a given service, priority for the following Sunday’s service will be given to those not in attendance the prior Sunday.
- If you make a reservation, please be sure to attend or to cancel your reservation should your circumstances change.
- If you do not have a reservation, please do not simply show up.
- All attendees other than small children will be required to wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth at all times.
- No food or beverage during the service.
- Anyone feeling ill or who has been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days is asked to stay home and watch online.
- No childcare will be provided.
- Restrooms will be available, but attendees are asked to make every effort to limit their use.
What to Expect
Arrival
- You will enter the church via the main doors unless another door is needed for accessibility purposes.
- Once you enter the building, please proceed immediately to the sanctuary doors by the choir loft where you will be seated by an usher.
- Once seated, please remain in your seat for the duration of the service.
Seating
- Attendees will have been assigned a seat in the sanctuary in advance. This could include the front row (gasp!).
- Attendees will only be seated with other members of their immediately family unless their entire party has been fully vaccinated and indicated its willingness to sit with another family unit that has also been fully vaccinated (this is an optional question on the reservation form).
- Every other pew will be utilized for seating with 6 feet of space between parties on the same pew (unless fully vaccinated and willing to sit with one other family unit).
- Any family unit larger than 6 people will need to break into seating groups of 6 or less.
Services
- Services will be consistent with our recent online services-similar in structure to our traditional worship services, but a bit shorter in length.
- There will be no printed bulletins.
- There will be no singing by the congregation.
- No offering plates will be passed.
- Carla will be playing the piano and/or organ.
- There will be a children’s sermon (even if no children in attendance, some may be watching online).
Dismissal
- The congregation will be dismissed by ushers from back to front within each section.
- Attendees will exit via the sanctuary doors closest to the front door and are asked to immediately exit the building upon dismissal.
- As you exit the building, there will be a collection box for any offering.
- If you wish to visit with another congregant after the service, please do so outdoors taking care to not block others from exiting.